 |
Safety Net Journal Issue 10 |
 |
Promoting health at work
New guidance from the TUC is designed to help health and safety reps to work in partnership with employers on health promotion in the workplace.
In recent years the Government have been encouraging employers to promote healthy lifestyles through the workplace and some employers have now started introducing policies aimed at encouraging their workforce to exercise or eat healthily.
But the TUC points out that many workplaces are unhealthy places to be. There are over 250,000 reportable injuries and more than 600,000 new cases of work-related illness every year. Stress is strongly linked to the use of drugs, tobacco and alcohol, while sedentary work, short lunch breaks and limited access to health food can contribute to obesity and other dietary problems.
Any promotion plan must start with prevention of work-related ill health. But too many employers focus on life-style issues and fail to consult with workers.
The guide points out that there is a lot the employer can do to assist in the promotion of good health through exercise classes, gym passes, healthier canteen food, etc. But it is important that these measures are introduced in consultations with workers and in a non-judgemental way. Where partnerships with unions are involved these schemes have often been successful and popular.
The TUC guidance can be viewed at http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-15265-f0.cfm
 Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
|
